WORLD CUP 2018
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS GERMANY DUMPED OUT OF WORLD CUP
Defending world champions Germany has been dumped out of the Fifa 2018 world cup by South Korea, thanks to a 2-0 win in Kazan on Wednesday, both goals netted in stoppage time.
Holders Germany sensationally crashed out of the first round of the World Cup for the first time since 1938 after losing 2-0 to South Korea, with VAR used to award two injury-time goals.
Joachim Low’s side went into the game needing to match or better Sweden’s result against Mexico, but they failed to break down Korea’s dogged resistance and were undone at the last as Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min netted, while the Scandinavians romped to a 3-0 victory.
Korea, with nothing to play for but pride, gave everything they had in hot conditions in Kazan and got their reward in stoppage time when Kim struck from close range and had an offside decision overturned by VAR before Son raced clear of the German defence and rolled the ball into an empty net.
Whether Germany’s failure spells the end of Low’s glorious era in charge of the national team remains to be seen, but he will certainly face questions as to why his side were so desperately lacking in cohesion in Russia and urgency when the stakes were so high.
Thomas Muller was absent from Germany’s starting line-up for the first time in a World Cup game since their semi-final defeat to Spain in 2010, with Schalke midfielder Leon Goretzka taking his place alongside Ozil.
Two minutes into second-half stoppage time, Son’s corner reached Kim at the far post and the offside decision that followed the defender burying the ball in the net was overruled by a VAR decision.
Low’s side briefly rallied for an equaliser, but their legs were gone and when substitute Ju Se-jong hit a long ball forward to Son, the Tottenham man was able to run in behind Neuer and rub salt in Germany’s wounds with the easiest of finishes.
GOAL.COM
